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Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th...
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Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 10903

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mariana Pinteala

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Guest Editor
Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: development of new polymer-based materials; supramolecular (co)polymers; polymer-functionalized nanoparticles; interpolymer complexes between hydrophobic–hydrophilic copolymers; blends and networks containing silicon-based polymers; aggregation of block copolymers in solution by fluorescence; synthesis and characterization of polymers and copolymers (especially siloxane-containing block copolymers); cationic, anionic, and radical copolymerization; structure–property relationship evaluation, data analysis, and interpretation; biopolymer-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications; dynamic polymeric matrixes for tissue engineering; antifungal nanotherapeutics; focal gene and drug delivery systems; ESR spectroscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Iuliana Spiridon

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Guest Editor
Department of Natural Polymers, Bioactive and Biocompatible Materials, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: composites; biomass; lignocellulosic conversion; materials; thin films; materials chemistry; natural polymers; nanocellulose
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Luminita Marin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Gr. Ghica Voda Alley, 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
Interests: hydrogels; imine; chitosan; Schiff base; phenothiazine; azomethine; drug delivery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Polymers is in honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu and his 75th birthday.

Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu is an internationally recognized chemist in the field of macromolecular science. He made significant contributions to the domain macromolecular chemistry, which is marked by more than 380 ISI papers, as well as through his teaching, public lectures, books, and book chapters. Elected as an Academician of the Romanian Academy in 2000 and serving as a Professor of the “Gr. Asachi” Technical University Iasi for 30 years and as the Director of the “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Iasi for 14 years, his achievements surrounding the development of the Romanian school of chemistry are outstanding. As Vice President of the Romanian Academy, President of the School of Advanced Studies of the Romanian Academy, and President of the Scientific Conseil of the Romanian Academy, he has made a significant contribution to the elaboration of the National Strategy of Education and Research. His engaging personality and unwavering commitment to positive change is reflected in organizing numerous national and international conferences (such as the Colloque Franco-Roumain sur les Polymères, Cristofor I. Simionescu Symposium Frontiers in Macromolecular and Supramolecular Science), which favored international collaborations with recognized scientists and research institutions worldwide. Well-regarded for his work, Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu was the President of the Central and East European Polymer Network (2006–2007), and he is the Romanian representative to the European Polymer Federation (since 2013) and POLYCHAR (since 2014). Acad. Simionescu is an Editor for internationally recognized journals (e.g., Revue Roumanie de Chimie and Environmental Engineering and Management Journal), the president of the Romanian Society of Chemistry, and one of the founders of the Romanian Society for Rheology. During his career, he has been invited to be a professor at numerous prestigious universities, and he has coordinated more than 45 PhD theses.

In honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s career in chemistry, this Special Issue welcomes the submission of original papers or reviews in the area of macromolecular compounds targeted for bioapplications.

Dr. Mariana Pinteala
Dr. Iuliana Spiridon
Dr. Luminita Marin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5092 KiB  
Article
Valorisation of Chitosan Natural Building Block as a Primary Strategy for the Development of Sustainable Fully Bio-Based Epoxy Resins
by Iolanda Fusteș-Dămoc, Roxana Dinu, Teodor Măluțan and Alice Mija
Polymers 2023, 15(24), 4627; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15244627 - 06 Dec 2023
Viewed by 834
Abstract
The non-toxic and biodegradable nature of chitosan makes it a valuable resource offering promising opportunities in the development of bio-based materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, the combination of epoxidized linseed oil, oxalic or citric acids, and chitosan (CHI) [...] Read more.
The non-toxic and biodegradable nature of chitosan makes it a valuable resource offering promising opportunities in the development of bio-based materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. In this work, the combination of epoxidized linseed oil, oxalic or citric acids, and chitosan (CHI) as a curing accelerator presents an attractive strategy to create bio-based and sustainable thermosetting materials. This article aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the systems reactivities, characteristics, and performance evaluation of the designed bio-thermosets. Both the nature of the two carboxylic acids and the presence of chitosan are shown to have a big impact on the thermomechanical properties of the developed networks. While oxalic acid favours the formation of elastic networks, with low Tg values (increasing with CHI content between 0.7 and 8.5 °C) and relatively low Young’s modulus (~2.5 MPa), citric acid promotes the formation of very dense networks with lower mass of the segments between the crosslinks, having 20 times higher Tg values (from 36 to 45 °C) and ~161 times higher Young’s modulus (from 94 MPa up to 404 MPa in these systems). The CHI has a strong impact on the curing reaction and on the overall properties, by increasing the materials’ performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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19 pages, 4712 KiB  
Article
Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Bovine Serum Albumin Hybrid Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanical Properties
by Maria Bercea, Ioana-Alexandra Plugariu, Maria Valentina Dinu, Irina Mihaela Pelin, Alexandra Lupu, Adrian Bele and Vasile Robert Gradinaru
Polymers 2023, 15(23), 4611; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15234611 - 04 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1121
Abstract
In this study, a new strategy was adopted for obtaining polymer/protein hybrid hydrogels with shape stability and tunable mechanical or rheological characteristics by using non-toxic procedures. A chemical network was created using a poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) mixture in aqueous solution in [...] Read more.
In this study, a new strategy was adopted for obtaining polymer/protein hybrid hydrogels with shape stability and tunable mechanical or rheological characteristics by using non-toxic procedures. A chemical network was created using a poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) mixture in aqueous solution in the presence of genipin and reduced glutathione (GSH). Then, a second physical network was formed through PVA after applying freezing/thawing cycles. In addition, the protein macromolecules formed intermolecular disulfide bridges in the presence of GSH. In these conditions, multiple crosslinked networks were obtained, determining the strengthening and stiffening into relatively tough porous hydrogels with tunable viscoelasticity and a self-healing ability. A SEM analysis evidenced the formation of networks with interconnected pores of sizes between 20 μm and 50 μm. The mechanical or rheological investigations showed that the hydrogels’ strength and response in different conditions of deformation were influenced by the composition and crosslinking procedure. Thus, the dynamics of the hybrid hydrogels can be adjusted to mimic the viscoelastic properties of the native tissues. The dynamic water vapor-sorption ability, swelling behavior in an aqueous environment, and bioadhesive properties were also investigated and are discussed in this paper. The hybrid hydrogels with tunable viscoelasticity can be designed on request, and they are promising candidates for tissue engineering, bioinks, and wound dressing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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10 pages, 5115 KiB  
Article
Variable Temperature Spectroscopic Ellipsometry as a Tool for Insight into the Optical Order in the P3HT:PC70BM and PC70BM Layers
by Barbara Hajduk, Paweł Jarka, Henryk Bednarski and Tomasz Tański
Polymers 2023, 15(18), 3752; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15183752 - 13 Sep 2023
Viewed by 770
Abstract
Two combined ellipsometric techniques—variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) and variable temperature spectroscopic ellipsometry (VTSE)—were used as tools to study the surface order and dielectric properties of thin films of a poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) mixture with a fullerene derivative (6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester) (PC70BM). Under [...] Read more.
Two combined ellipsometric techniques—variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE) and variable temperature spectroscopic ellipsometry (VTSE)—were used as tools to study the surface order and dielectric properties of thin films of a poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) mixture with a fullerene derivative (6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester) (PC70BM). Under the influence of annealing, a layer of the ordered PC70BM phase was formed on the surface of the blend films. The dielectric function of the ordered PC70BM was determined for the first time and used in the ellipsometric modeling of the physical properties of the P3HT:PC70BM blend films, such as their dielectric function and thickness. The applied ellipsometric optical model of the polymer–fullerene blend treats the components of the blend as a mixture of optically ordered and disordered phases, using the effective medium approximation for this purpose. The results obtained using the constructed model showed that a layer of the ordered PC70BM phase was formed on the surface of the layer of the polymer and fullerene mixture. Namely, as a result of thermal annealing, the thickness of the layer of the ordered fullerene phase increased, while the thickness of the underlying material layer decreased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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18 pages, 10220 KiB  
Article
New Hydrogels Nanocomposites Based on Chitosan, 2-Formylphenylboronic Acid, and ZnO Nanoparticles as Promising Disinfectants for Duodenoscopes Reprocessing
by Daniela Ailincai, Ioana-Andreea Turin Moleavin, Alexandra Sarghi, Adrian Fifere, Oana Dumbrava, Mariana Pinteala, Gheorghe G. Balan and Irina Rosca
Polymers 2023, 15(12), 2669; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122669 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1085
Abstract
New hydrogels nanocomposites, based on iminoboronate hydrogels and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs), were obtained and characterised in order to develop a new class of disinfectants able to fight the nosocomial infections produced by duodenoscopes investigation procedures. The formation of the imine linkages between chitosan [...] Read more.
New hydrogels nanocomposites, based on iminoboronate hydrogels and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs), were obtained and characterised in order to develop a new class of disinfectants able to fight the nosocomial infections produced by duodenoscopes investigation procedures. The formation of the imine linkages between chitosan and the aldehyde was demonstrated using NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, while the supramolecular architecture of the developed systems was evaluated via wide-angle X-ray diffraction and polarised optical microscopy. The morphological characterisation of the systems via scanning electron microscopy revealed the highly porous structure of the materials, in which no ZnO agglomeration could be observed, indicating the very fine and homogenous encapsulation of the nanoparticles into the hydrogels. The newly synthetised hydrogels nanocomposites was proven to have synergistic antimicrobial properties, being very efficient as disinfectants against reference strains as: Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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15 pages, 4918 KiB  
Article
Strategy Based on Michael Addition Reaction for the Development of Bioinspired Multilayered and Multiphasic 3D Constructs
by Mihaela Olaru, Natalia Simionescu, Florica Doroftei and Geta David
Polymers 2023, 15(7), 1635; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15071635 - 24 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1208
Abstract
The high incidence of osteochondral defects has increased the interest in the development of improved repairing alternatives, with tissue engineering being considered a promising approach. The hierarchical, complex structure of osteochondral tissue requires the design of a biomimetic multilayered scaffold. Here, a multilayered [...] Read more.
The high incidence of osteochondral defects has increased the interest in the development of improved repairing alternatives, with tissue engineering being considered a promising approach. The hierarchical, complex structure of osteochondral tissue requires the design of a biomimetic multilayered scaffold. Here, a multilayered and multiphasic 3D macroporous structure was achieved at subzero temperature by the Michael addition reaction of amino functionalities of collagen with acryloyl groups of a bifunctionalized poly(ε-caprolactone). This green approach has been successfully applied to crosslink layers of different composition, both for their efficient sequential formation and connection. Polyethylenimine functionalized nano-hydroxyapatite (nHApLPEI) was added to the bottom layer. The resulting hybrid cryogels were characterized by morphology, equilibrium swelling ratios, compressive strength analysis, and MTS assay. They presented good stability, integrity, and biocompatibility. The results revealed that the properties of the prepared constructs may be tuned by varying the composition, number, and thickness of the layers. The Young modulus values were between 3.5 ± 0.02 and 10.5 ± 0.6 kPa for the component layers, while for the multilayered structures they were more than 7.3 ± 0.2 kPa. The equilibrium swelling ratio varied between 4.6 and 14.2, with a value of ~10.5 for the trilayered structure, correlated with the mean pore sizes (74–230 µm). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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Review

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20 pages, 7299 KiB  
Review
Updates on Biomaterials Used in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)
by Liliana Savin, Tudor Pinteala, Dana Nicoleta Mihai, Dan Mihailescu, Smaranda Stefana Miu, Mihnea Theodor Sirbu, Bogdan Veliceasa, Dragos Cristian Popescu, Paul Dan Sirbu and Norin Forna
Polymers 2023, 15(15), 3278; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15153278 - 02 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2967
Abstract
One of the most popular and effective orthopedic surgical interventions for treating a variety of hip diseases is total hip arthroplasty. Despite being a radical procedure that involves replacing bone and cartilaginous surfaces with biomaterials, it produces excellent outcomes that significantly increase the [...] Read more.
One of the most popular and effective orthopedic surgical interventions for treating a variety of hip diseases is total hip arthroplasty. Despite being a radical procedure that involves replacing bone and cartilaginous surfaces with biomaterials, it produces excellent outcomes that significantly increase the patient’s quality of life. Patient factors and surgical technique, as well as biomaterials, play a role in prosthetic survival, with aseptic loosening (one of the most common causes of total hip arthroplasty failure) being linked to the quality of biomaterials utilized. Over the years, various biomaterials have been developed to limit the amount of wear particles generated over time by friction between the prosthetic head (metal alloys or ceramic) and the insert fixed in the acetabular component (polyethylene or ceramic). An ideal biomaterial must be biocompatible, have a low coefficient of friction, be corrosion resistant, and have great mechanical power. Comprehensive knowledge regarding what causes hip arthroplasty failure, as well as improvements in biomaterial quality and surgical technique, will influence the survivability of the prosthetic implant. The purpose of this article was to assess the benefits and drawbacks of various biomaterial and friction couples used in total hip arthroplasties by reviewing the scientific literature published over the last 10 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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Other

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29 pages, 24638 KiB  
Perspective
Assembling Complex Macromolecules and Self-Organizations of Biological Relevance with Cu(I)-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne, Thio-Bromo, and TERMINI Double “Click” Reactions
by Adrian Moreno, Gerard Lligadas, Jasper Adamson, Devendra S. Maurya and Virgil Percec
Polymers 2023, 15(5), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15051075 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Bertozzi, Meldal, and Sharpless “for the development of click chemistry and biorthogonal chemistry”. Since 2001, when the concept of click chemistry was advanced by Sharpless laboratory, synthetic chemists started to envision click reactions [...] Read more.
In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Bertozzi, Meldal, and Sharpless “for the development of click chemistry and biorthogonal chemistry”. Since 2001, when the concept of click chemistry was advanced by Sharpless laboratory, synthetic chemists started to envision click reactions as the preferred choice of synthetic methodology employed to create new functions. This brief perspective will summarize research performed in our laboratories with the classic Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne click (CuAAC) reaction elaborated by Meldal and Sharpless, with the thio-bromo click (TBC) and with the less-used, irreversible TERminator Multifunctional INItiator (TERMINI) dual click (TBC) reactions, the last two elaborated in our laboratory. These click reactions will be used to assemble, by accelerated modular-orthogonal methodologies, complex macromolecules and self-organizations of biological relevance. Self-assembling amphiphilic Janus dendrimers and Janus glycodendrimers together with their biological membrane mimics known as dendrimersomes and glycodendrimersomes as well as simple methodologies to assemble macromolecules with perfect and complex architecture such as dendrimers from commercial monomers and building blocks will be discussed. This perspective is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Professor Bogdan C. Simionescu, the son of my (VP) Ph.D. mentor, Professor Cristofor I. Simionescu, who as his father, took both science and science administration in his hands, and dedicated his life to handling them in a tandem way, to their best. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Special Issue in Honor of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu’s 75th Birthday: Macromolecular Compounds: Advances in Bioapplications)
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